Man who died in Kane courthouse likely suicide

July 16, 2009

A Yorkville man who died in a Kane County Justice Center holding cell after he was sentenced to prison Wednesday committed suicide by hanging himself with his belt, according to an autopsy conducted today.

Matthew Brockman, 20, hanged himself around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Lt. Pat Gengler of the Kane County Sheriff's police said Thursday.

Brockman, who had been free on bond prior to the hearing, was taken into custody at the St. Charles courthouse after being sentenced to a two-year prison term for aggravated battery. He was alone in the cell when he died, police said.

Gengler said the sheriff's office is interviewing friends and family of Brockman to determine whether he had been showing suicidal tendencies. Police also are conducting an internal review to make sure that deputies followed procedures as they handled Brockman, Gengler said. He was unsure Thursday whether policies require deputies to take belts away from those placed in holding cells.

Kane County Sheriff Pat Perez said his initial, unofficial review of the situation found that policies were followed. He said it was the first suicide in the 16 years the courthouse has been open.

Brockman hanged himself in one of the two holding cells that are located between courtrooms 313 and 319. The area includes a common hall, the two cells, a conference area where lawyers can talk to prisoners, and the elevator where prisoners are brought up from below. Routinely, prisoners wait there to be called for their court appearances.

Brockman had been arrested by Aurora police following a fight with a friend on June 11, 2008. According to reports, Brockman and the friend, a 27-year-old Sandwich man, had attended a party at an Aurora apartment and had argued in the parking lot because Brockman wanted to stay, but the friend wanted to leave.

Brockman reportedly punched the man several times, breaking his jaw and nose.